Advice for painting outdoor metal light fittings

[TigersFan]

I have two metal light fittings. I used a can spray to paint them previously but rust has appeared after just one winter. Clearly the spray paint wasn't the right approach. What would people advise to do the job properly? I have considered getting them powder coated but is that any better than painting them?

 

[robgul]

IME powder coat on outdoor metal "dulls down" after a while . . . the go-to is usually Hammerite paint - in either the original crackly finish or the smooth finish. That seems to repel the weather (as long as any raw edges are painted, and retains the sheen.